How to complain about an REC member

The Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) is the professional body for the recruitment industry. All members must abide by a Code of Professional Practice (REC Code). Above all, the REC is committed to raising standards and highlighting excellence throughout the recruitment industry.

The REC is unable to deal with certain issues, such as obtaining compensation for complainants. We recommend that you read What we cannot deal with which details the areas that fall outside of the REC complaints process. If you have a complaint about an REC member and consider that they have breached the REC Code we recommend that you take the following steps.

Stage 1 – Complain directly to the agency.

Request a copy of the agency’s Complaints Procedure – this will detail how the agency deals with complaints received by them and the timescales they work to in responding to a complaint.·

On receipt of the agency’s Complaints Procedure, get in touch with the agency's named contact for dealing with complaints (or the Managing Director). In your complaint please detail:- the name of the person you are complaining about, the nature of the complaint, the date the incident occurred and your desired outcome of the complaint.

Stage 2 – Complain to the REC

If after completing stage 1 you think there are unresolved issues that come under the REC remit (the FAQs may also assist you in clarifying this), you can refer the matter to the REC by completing the REC complaint form. Please also ensure any documentary evidence is attached as our decision on how to proceed with your complaint will be based on the information provided.

Stage 3- Processing the complaint

We automatically acknowledge an emailed complaint and aim to formally review within 15 working days. You will then be contacted by a member of the Compliance Team. If it is considered that a formal investigation should be undertaken by the REC we will let you know. If we consider that a formal investigation should not be undertaken, we will advise you of any other options available to you as appropriate.

Please note:

we are unable to accept anonymous complaints

a complaint must be made within one year of the event taking place

the complaints procedure requires full disclosure, so if the complaint is taken forward (with your permission), the agency will see what you have written; in turn you will see what the agency writes.

The recruitment industry counter-fraud organisation, SAFER (Safe Advice for Employment and Recruitment), is a non-profit industry wide initiative created to raise awareness about, and combat criminal activities that may be attempted on those within the industry or through the services provided by the industry.

The purpose of SAFER is to help protect jobseekers, employers and service providers from crime during the process of communicating and fulfilling/acquiring employment opportunities by (a) preparing and promoting advice to jobseekers, employers and service providers on how to avoid recruitment related crime; (b) gathering and sharing intelligence between Members that could reduce recruitment related crime, including current scams, fraudulent practices and other criminal activities; (c) liaising with appropriate law enforcement agencies and regulatory authorities to assist them in the execution of their duties and in furtherance of the purposes of SAFER, and (d) developing national best practice guidelines for Members on recruitment related crime prevention, detection and investigation.

If you would like further information or would like to report recruitment related fraud please access www.safer-jobs.com